By Davie Phiri & Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, October 9, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhotakota, Ben Matengeni Tohno, has commended NBS Bank for donating Public Address Equipment to the council saying it will improve deliberations that are usually held in the Council Chamber.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on Monday at the district council chamber, Tohno said proper communication and sound delivery within the chamber were challenges, as they did not have functional Sound System equipment.

He said the donation would rapidly improve the district's communication gap in announcing and broadcasting information.

“Our jobs are vital in reaching out and rendering all necessary information to the public and as such it is important to have attained such up-to-date equipment which will help improve all challenges being met in the district,” said Tohno.

Tohno commended NBS Bank for supporting the people of Nkhotakota with the first-of-its-kind equipment at the district level to improve service delivery at the local council.

NBS Bank Head of Cluster for Centre and North, Dr Justin Chikaonda, said the bank is a partner of the local councils and will keep supporting in many forms as part of their corporate social responsibility to the communities.

Director of Finance for Nkhotakota District Council, Khumbo Masankhula, thanked NBS Bank and encouraged them to also render aid in other sectors to uplift the lives of the people in Nkhotakota noting partners like NBS bank are a blessing.

NBS bank donated equipment to the tune of K8 million to the council.

By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, October 9, Mana:  Communities that are participating in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-PWP) in Machinga said natural tree regeneration is the sure way of restoring lost vegetative cover in most areas that suffered deforestation due to irresponsible human activities.

The communities said this during a tour this week organized by District Community Development Office and District Forestry Office to some of the catchment.

Natural regeneration takes place in many catchments in Machinga among them middle and lower Lingoni with five hotspots namely: Ntibidi, Mputeya, Namichimba, Mayera and Nzimaya where 876 people are engaged in catchment conservation.

Chanyungu Mposa Catchment is another area with 1,223 participating communities also under the CS-PWP.

A farmer from Chanyumgu Catchment, Nnani Hotspot at Traditional Authority (TA) Mposa, Lovemore Chingwaru, said land degradation is one of serious problems that needs to be addressed with community involvement to ensure sustainability.

Chingwaru who comes from Group Village Head Ntambalika, TA Mposa said running water from mountains caused a lot of soil erosion such that this resulted into low harvest among farmers down the mountains.

"We experienced low harvests in recent years because we had a lot of running water from the hill, which washed away top soils.

“Tree regeneration and other land resource activities will help us to save the remaining soil from erosion. By doing this, l’m sure we will have an increased percentage of harvests in the next rainy season,” he said.

Another farmer, Thokozani Mloka, who is also chairperson of middle and lower Lingoni catchment, said communities were able to understand the importance of participating in the CS-PWP, which mobilize communities to participate in tree regeneration to restoring the lost vegetative cover in most areas that had vast forests.

Mloka observed that trees reduce the impact of raindrops on soil as the soil is well protected under forest cover.

"We will not worry of run offs once we have good forest cover. Trees will reduce the speed of water," she said. 

Extension Worker at Middle and Lower Lingoni Catchment in Ntibidi hotspot, Clifford Nkhomba was happy to see communities actively participating in CS-PWP activities.

He observed that the communities were able to understand and appreciate effects of climate change on livelihood in recent years.

“It is really convincing to see people actively participating in restoring their forests through tree regeneration. I think communities now understand relation between deforestation and land degradation following recent rainy season when we had a lot of running off," he said.

Nkhomba, therefore, advised communities to embrace tree regeneration and other sustainable land resource management activities on their own even if CS-PWP phases out.

District Community Development Officer for Machinga, Thokozani Supayo, appealed to communities in the district’s catchments to fully participate in restoring the forests.

He, therefore, encouraged CS-PWP participating communities to adopt climate smart land resources management activities and other best environmental conservation practices to improve soil fertility for improved food production.

Apart from tree regeneration, CS-PWP participating communities in various catchments also participate in other interventions such as stone bands construction, digging swales and manure making to control water flow and improve soil fertility.

The CS-PWP interventions are funded by the World Bank and Multi-donor Trust Fund.

The CS-PWP is under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Projects.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, October 8, Mana: Youth led organization called Big 2 Project is providing trainings in sustainable agriculture practices to young farmers in the country with an aim of making them self-reliant and increase crop production.

The training involves organic farming practices and commercialization of irrigation farming to cope with challenges posed by climate change.

Founder and Manager of Big 2 Project, Blessings Mlelemba, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that they introduced the trainings in May 2024 as one way of dealing with economic pressure that youths are facing.

“There is potential in young people and if given the opportunity, it is possible to improve lives of thousands. Malawian youths are capable of doing great and sustain the livelihood of their country through agriculture,” he said.

Mlelemba said that the training is helping youths in their lives, citing that many who were not involved in agriculture have started doing serious farming.

“Achievements are great and beyond our expectations. We receive people on a daily basis and we move into different areas to offer advice on farming pursuits and the impact is impressive,” he added.

However, Mlelemba said that it may take time to achieve their dream saying lack of financial support is slowing the rolling out of the project.

“Resources for trainings are on personal savings from my farming projects, consultations and little registration subscription that people contribute when they want to register with us which is Mk5, 000 for full trainings,” he explained.

One of the participants of the training, Lusungu Chimbiri, expressed her gratitude to the project for their dedication and expertise.

"I joined the training because I've always been passionate about farming. As a first time farmer, I wanted to enhance my knowledge and skills in agricultural techniques and improve crop yields. This training offered me the perfect opportunity to network with fellow farmers,” she said.

Chimbiri added that she had already started seeing the benefits in her farm as things are going as they had been trained.

"The training has been beneficial as I've gained knowledge in things like pest management, disease prevention, and organic farming as well as business planning,” she said.

Another farmer from 6 Miles in Zomba, Nelvin Mussah also hailed the project saying the knowledge that he had acquired will be helpful in increasing production and in coping with climate change.

“From the training I have learnt how to make manure and identify crops that are profitable. Additionally, I have learnt the proper farming methods to use,” Mussah said.

Big 2 Project had demonstration gardens in Lunzu (Blantyre) and Mchinji where the trainings targeted youths from all over the country.

By Priscilla Phiri

October 8, Lilongwe, Mana: Central Region Manager for Malawi Posts Corporations (MPC), Bernard Kamphandule, asserts that the corporation has maintained its relevance amidst technological advancements in the country.

Kamphandule made this statement on Tuesday at Lobi Post Office in Dedza, during a tour in preparation for the commemoration of World Post Day.

He emphasized that in 150 years of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), MPC has successfully delivered mails and parcels both nationwide and worldwide, among other services offered in the country.

“MPC has made E-Commerce easy in Malawi, as you know many people order goods online from other countries and for the goods to get here they require our services.

We also offer reliable and affordable courier services in all our 180 post offices that we have here in Malawi including the rural areas which are hard to reach by other courier services, so you can see that we are still active and relevant in our service to the people of Malawi,” he said.

Kamphandule further mentioned that MPC has formed strategic partnerships with institutions that align well with their core values by offering services on their behalf to clients across the country.

“MPC has also partnered with financial institutions like NBS and First Capital Banks where we offer their services at our offices on their behalf whereby people are able to withdraw money, access and service their loans as well as make deposits.

“Through estate agents, we have also managed to let out our spaces in some of our offices to NEEF, NRB among other organizations which has benefitted Malawians as well as MPC,” explained Kamphandule.

Post Master for Lobi Post Office, Francis Chiwaya, noted that despite the country’s technological advancements, business is still thriving at Lobi as the office remains operational in the area.

“We want Malawians to know that developing technologically does not negate the relevance of Post Offices, MPC is still operating and for those that are not yet able to send mails electronically, we are here to serve them diligently,” he said.

Chiwaya further elaborated that some residents at Lobi Trading Center still utilize the post office for sending job application letters, parcels, and accessing financial services provided through MPC’s partnership with NBS Bank, among others.

During the tour, MPC delegates also visited Kawale Post Office in Lilongwe, where they met Evelyn Chalira, a Biwi resident, who accessed NRB and NEEF services within the Post Office premises.

Chalira appreciated MPC’s partnership with other institutions, stating that having all services operating under one roof saves time and money that could have been spent commuting from one office to another.

World Post Day is commemorated globally on October 9th each year. This year, the commemoration is taking place under the theme ‘150 years of enabling communication and empowering people across nations’.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, September 8, Mana: Women's Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) Programme Manager, Charity Mazengela said the organization in partnership with Oxfam Malawi intends to drum up support for female, youths and people with disabilities who intend to contest on various political positions in the 2025 General Election.

Briefing various political party representatives on Monday in Mzimba during a meeting which Women's Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam Malawi organised, Mazengela said the initiative will be supported by European Union (EU) funded Demokalase Yokomela Aliyense Project.

"We will through the project among other things provide a wide range of assistance to the targeted groups, including transport during the campaign period but this will be meant for candidates who would have paid for nomination fees themselves,” said Mazengela.

Gender Officer for Mzimba, Naomi Mwale hailed Worlec and Oxfam Malawi for the initiative saying the district has low numbers of women, youth and people with disabilities representation in elected positions.

"Out of eleven Members of Parliament (MPs) we only have two female MPs while out of 22 ward councillors, we have only two female councillors.

We hope the Demokalase Yokomela Aliyense Project will assist many female aspirants come out to contest for various position come 2025 General Elections,” said Mwale.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Councillor for Manyamula Ward, Kefasi Chisi challenged female political aspirants to develop robust campaign manifestos that should attract potential voters.

“We should come up with brilliant manifestos and speak and develop public speaking skill so that we face potential voters with confidence when the campaign begins,” said Chisi.

She said most female aspirants shy away from competing with men and that this counteracts strives to achieve of 50/50 representation in different political and development fora.

United Transformation Movement aspirant councillor for Perekezi Ward, Loveness Kanyinji touted the initiative for pledging to support under privileged political aspirants in different forms.

"To be frank, political campaign is expensive and our hope as budding political aspirants is on the project’s support," said Kanyinji.

By Tione Andsen

Lilongwe, October 8, Mana: Residents of Areas 49, 51, 25 and 50 in Lilongwe have described the opening of a third SanaM Supermarket in Area 49 as a shopping changer to most of them.

The Area 49 shop is third after Mponela in Dowa which was opened in 2007 and Area 18 in 2013 and the uniqueness of the shops are that they are right in the hearts of the resident’s homes.

The shop was opened a year ago and is strategically located close to Kaunda Road just adjacent to Best Oil Filling Station.

An area 25 resident, Ken Mtonga said on Tuesday in Lilongwe that, “The shop has reduced the need to travel long distances to town to buy small items, both during the week and on weekends.”

He added that customers now have a variety of transportation options, including personal vehicles, motorbikes, and bicycles (Kabaza), while those living nearby can simply walk in and out.

“We no longer knock off early to rush for shopping and we are just driving straight to SanaM to buy our things calmly without thinking of traffic,” Area 49 New Gulliver resident, Jack Chonzi noted.

He said shopping was only meant to be done during weekend in the morning, if you are to avoid long traffic lines which is particularly huge during time of knocking off. 

A lady business woman from Area 51, Mable Phiri said the new shop offers a variety of goods which assists her business.

“As a business lady, this shop has opened up various opportunities to us and we are able to reach this place in time and service our customers better too,” she explained.

Area 50 resident Kabaza operator, Moses Chikuni said this has offered a wide range of shops where we could choose and buy in small and bulky quantities.

He noted that Kabaza operators are flocking to the area, ferrying customers, which is a clear sign that the shop is conveniently located within the community.

Manager for SanaM Supermarket, Muhammad Iqbal said they are happy that customers are coming to buy at their shop.

“They are commending us that we are providing better services to them as compared to other shops within town to which is a plus to us,” he said.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, October 8, Mana: The Yao Paramount Chief Kawinga has assured all Women Legal Resources (WORLEC), Oxfam Malawi and other stakeholders drumming support for participation of women and other marginalized groups in politics that chiefs will continue providing necessary space and support ahead of Malawi’s 2025 general elections.

The Yao Paramount Chief made the reaffirmation at his Nanyumbu headquarters on Monday during WORLEC and Oxfam Malawi organized engagement meeting with chiefs and religious leaders to discuss gender transformative and inclusion of marginalized groups in democracy.

With support from European Union, WORLEC and Oxfam Malawi organized the meeting to encourage the leaders to encourage meaningful participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in political processes and decision-making.

Paramount Chief Kawinga said Machinga chiefs had already started the initiative as they created conducive environment for women and people with physical disabilities to take part in politics such that two women aspirants became Members of Parliament out of the district’s seven constituencies while two persons with physical disabilities became ward councilors of 14 wards.

“As Machinga district, we are on the right track in as far as putting women, youths and people with disabilities into various positions,” he said, citing two female Members of Parliament, Esther Jolobala for Machinga East and Fyness Magonjwa for Machingas South East, two female ward councilors and two Ward Councilors with physical disabilities.

Kawinga also mentioned two female traditional authorities saying this was not mean achievement in as far as the inclusions of the marginalized groups is concerned. Adding that chiefs in the district will continue to give room to women, youths, and the marginalized groups to participate in various positions, including elective political positions.

The paramount chief added that; “We are geared to do more as we have more trust in people that performed well during their tenure of office.”

Kawinga said other districts in the country can learn from Machinga on empowering women, youths and people with physical disability.

“We are ready to do awareness in other districts regarding issues of empowerment. We are on the right track and we will do more in the forth coming general elections,” added Yao Paramount Chief.

WOLREC Executive Director, Maggie Kathewera Banda applauded Machinga chiefs for embracing gender issues in their respective areas, saying WOELEC was expecting more women, youths and people who are physically challenged in both political and local leadership positions.

Banda however reminded chiefs that they were crucial in mobilizing women, youths and marginalized people to be part in the 2025 general elections saying their voices matter the most in the communities.

Earlier in the day, WORLEC and Oxfam engaged district level political leadership to orient them on the same project.

WOLREC and Oxfam Malawi are implementing a project called Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi in seven districts including Machinga with funding from the European Union.